10 Apps That Make It Easier to Live the Gospel

Would you like to read the sealed portion of the plates? Or know the body temperature of translated beings? How about find a GPS tracker for all of the Three Nephites? At the rate technology is advancing, you might not have to wait much longer for an app that will answer all of these burning questions. As we become a smartphone species, people create apps for seemingly everything under the sun—including church. In addition to the Church-sponsored apps like Gospel Library, here is a sampling of digital programs that could best be described as “in the App Store but not of the App Store.”

1. Take a Name

Scrolling through your family tree can be daunting, and the time it takes to find names for the temple may seem like more than you have to spare. But fret no more; family history work just got a whole lot easier. Take a Name is a FamilySearch-certified app that connects to your account and does the work for you. It will scan your family tree and alert you to what names are ready for ordinances, even checking for duplicates and errors the same way FamilySearch does. You can then reserve and print temple cards right from the app. You can try this app for free on the App Store and the Google Play Store, with an opportunity to pick your purchase price or give a contribution if you’re able.

2. LDS Apostles

Did you know that Boyd K. Packer and Russell M. Nelson each have 10 kids? Or that Richard G. Scott was D. Todd Christofferson’s mission president? There’s a lot you may not have heard about the Lord’s servants, but the Android app LDS Apostles (free on the Google Play Store) could change that. Along with providing biographical information about all the brethren, this app allows you to see who was in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on any date in Church history.

3. Instagram

The leaders of the Church have made it clear that social media can be used as a tool to further the work of God. The popular picture-sharing app, Instagram, is one of those tools that can help to lift and inspire you and others if you carefully choose who you follow and what you post. One example, @bofm365, breaks the Book of Mormon into bite-sized reading chunks for the year. Other accounts like @herebycalled, @among.sisters, and @mormonchannel can connect you with uplifting content that can encourage your discipleship. You can find the app free on both the App Store and Google Play Store.

4. Deseret Bookshelf

Deseret Book’s official app allows users to read, search, and study their entire LDS library conveniently and effectively. In addition to the standard works, you get eight classic LDS books for free when you download the app, including Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Talmage’s Jesus the Christ, and President Spencer W. Kimball’s The Miracle of Forgiveness. It includes many features to maximize your gospel study. And even better, it’s available for free on both the App Store and Google Play Store.

5. LDS Missionary Tracker

When the Church’s missionary force nearly doubled after President Monson’s historic announcement in October 2012, so did the number of missionary moms—which means that these days, an app dedicated to your elder or sister out in the field is in greater demand than ever. With this app, you can count down how long missionaries have left, keep track of their areas and companions, and set reminders for yourself to email them. If you so desire, you can even email them directly from the app, which is available for free on the Google Play Store for Android only.